I welcome three of the four commissioners and wish all four every success in their important work.
As is evident from the contribution of all three commissioners, particularly that of Ms MacBride, it is recognised universally that the theatre of the conflict extended much further than the Six Counties. That the commission has a wider remit and overview in terms of engagement with and advocacy on the part of victims and survivors throughout the island, the neighbouring island and beyond — I welcome this confirmation, in particular — is important.
Ar son mo phairtí, Sinn Féin, cuirim fáilte roimh na coimisinéirííospartaigh chuig an choiste seo. Tá obair tábhachtach ar siúl acu. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an coiste seo in ann cabhrú leo. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome the Commissioners for Victims and Survivors. They have undertaken important work on behalf of the many thousands who have been deeply affected by the conflict in our country. Their work is a key part of the process of healing, reconciliation and building a renewed society. All of my colleagues on the committee share my hope that the dialogue with the committee today and in the future will offer a helpful and useful contribution to the commissioners' work.
I come from County Monaghan and represent two Ulster counties, Cavan and Monaghan, both of which have known the reality of armed conflict. On 17 May 1974 my home town of Monaghan and the city of Dublin were subjected to the terrible events of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Like many others, the families in question are seeking truth and justice from the British Government some 34 years later.
Sinn Féin stated it was an important step forward in ensuring all victims could be represented equally. This refers to my short preamble in welcoming the affirmation of the wider view of the victims commissioners. This will have to take into account the needs, backgrounds and experiences the commissioners represent. Many have lost loved ones and suffered during the conflict. They need to be dealt with across the board on the basis of equality. It is positive that there is a commission to put the needs of victims centre stage. Through a collective approach, this can ensure parity of esteem for all victims. In my preparation for this meeting I noted that a colleague, Francie Molloy, MLA, Sinn Féin spokesperson on victims and related issues, had pointed out that the four commissioners had a blend of skills and experience, which we believe will make a real difference. I commend each of the commissioners and the qualities each brings to the role and responsibilities. This is a sincere recognition and an expression of goodwill to each of them in their work.
We are meeting at a difficult time in the political reality north of the Border but it is significant that the commission was put in place after the DUP and Sinn Féin had reached agreement on the way forward, a positive development. This should not be overshadowed by the recent difficulties in the process, serious though they are.
There is no need for any of us to make the point that there cannot be a hierarchy of victims. This is well established and accepted and crucially important. Today, in an article to be published in my party's weekly newspaper An Phoblacht, our party president, Mr. Gerry Adams, has announced that following a process of consultation and discussion, particularly with victims and victims groups, Sinn Féin has concluded that the best way forward in truth recovery is through the establishment of an independent, international truth commission. People here will have noted that republicans have acknowledged the hurt they caused during the conflict. Mr. Adams has expressed his personal and sincere regret and apologised for the hurt caused. The IRA has apologised to the families of all those non-combatants for whose deaths they were responsible.
The British state has refused to acknowledge its role in the conflict, especially with regard to collusion. It is in that difficult but important area that I refer to the series of tragedies visited on communities and individuals on this side of the Border, where collusion was very clearly the central component. That refusal continues, as evidenced by the failure of the British Government to co-operate in the series of investigations conducted by Mr. Justice Hamilton, Mr. Justice Barron and Mr. Patrick MacEntee, SC. That approach must change.
I will conclude by putting forward the principles we believe should underpin any effective truth recovery process. They are announced in the statement issued by our party president today. They are as follows: all processes should be victim-centred and deal with victims on an all-Ireland basis; full co-operation on the part of all relevant parties is essential to the success of any commission; there should be no hierarchy of victims; all processes should be politically neutral; and any future panel should be international and independent.
One of the purposes of any future panel or commission should be to examine the causes, nature and extent of the conflict. An objective of any process should be healing, both for direct victims and society in general. A common aim should be to enable society to build peace. Reconciliation should be the core aim of any truth process. Respect and generosity should inform the parties seeking to reach agreement.
With these words, I believe it is an important development. The proposition must now be seriously addressed by all parties in both Governments. We emphasise that it is our conclusion that an independent international truth commission is the way forward to address comprehensively the issues involved in today's debate.